UPTON VILLAGE THEATRE GROUP

Our next outing will be again to the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, on Saturday 5 March, for the matinee performance of Alan Ayckbourn’s "Relatively Speaking".  The complete package – ticket, minibus and cream tea – costs £32.75 per person. 

If everyone who has requested a place pays up, then we have already sold all that I’ve reserved,  But we do operate a first paid, first served policy, so there could be a race on.  If anyone is disappointed, however, I will either put them on a reserve list in case somebody later drops out or, GIVEN THE CASH WITH ORDER, and assuming they are prepared to drive themselves to the theatre, see if I can still get more seats at the Group rate.

If there are any (new) villagers who would like to join the Group – or any currently on the mailing list who would like to withdraw, please do let me know.

Malcolm Wright 850705

Hairspray

The New Theatre, Oxford, 12 October 2010

Despite falling at the first hurdle and getting my wires crossed about what time the minibus was due to pick us all up, we had a smooth journey up the A34 and so I managed not to detrimentally delay the arrival of the other Theatre-Goers to the West End Production of Hairspray on tour at the New Theatre Oxford. The advert describing Hairspray as, ‘the mother of all musicals’ is certainly not wrong! We were treated to Scene after Scene of vibrant, noisy, feel-good singing and acting from an outstandingly professional cast that had the full house clapping wildly and up on its feet dancing and cheering as the final curtain came down.

There were some memorable performances, including the duet from Brian Conley as Edna Turnblad and Les Dennis as the amiable husband Wilbur who runs the Har-de-Har Hut, which left them – never mind the audience – reeling with laughter. Laurie Scarth gave a fantastic performance as the central character Tracy Turnblad, her singing only outshone by the stunning vocal chords of Sandra Marvin as Motormouth Maybelle.

It was a real treat and should definitely not be missed if you have yet to experience this Sixties style romcom with the happy ever after ‘Aaahh’ factor mixed with a poignant reminder of what segregation in the USA meant for youngsters at that time….In fact it was so fantastic young Liam had his fingers in his ears throughout much of the wild applause that followed every Scene…..it really was that good! Our thanks as ever especially to Malcolm and the Upton Village Theatre Group Committee for organising yet another fantastic evening out….may we all enjoy many more.

Lesley Shaw October 2010

Theatre Group

We now have just 2 seats remaining for the trip to "Hairspray" at the New Theatre, Oxford on 12.October.  Are you interested?

We are beginning to think about next year, so if you have requests or information do let me know.

Malcolm Wright    850705

ANTONY and CLEOPATRA

The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford, 21 June 2010

Perhaps it was just as well we went on the longest day because the performance ran for three hours and twenty minutes, even with a few cuts. But tedious it wasn’t for a moment!

The last time I saw the play at Stratford, Antony was drunk – literally – and Cleopatra spent her time in what looked like a shapeless dressing gown. So I was worried that the group were going to be subjected again to a director’s weird ideas or an actor’s incapacity. Wrong on both counts. Granted there was modern dress, but the business suits and Air Force uniforms of the Romans acceptably contrasted with the colourful, often outrageous, fashions and khaki camouflage battledress of the Egyptians. The set was simple so that the action was almost breathlessly continuous, and often excitingly choreographed.

While the ensemble’s portrayal of the characters was always good and sometimes brilliant. Kathryn Hunter’s Cleopatra was tiny, wrinkled, skeletal, and she limped, but the passion and charisma and temper and theatricality were all there, and she rose effortlessly to the tragic regality of her end. Darrell D’Silva’s Antony was also well past his prime, but it was easy to see how he engendered such loyalty, how he had once been a consummate general, and he matched the fire and fury of his great love. Octavius is always a clear contrast to Antony but John Mackay gave him a new dimension. He was an eminently calculating politician who became more and more objectionable as his power grew, though he was allowed displays of anger and a deep affection for his sister.

It was a pity that some jobsworth official would not allow us to board the minibus near the Stage Door and kept the group waiting while the driver toured Stratford’s one-way system to get the bus back outside the theatre after practically all the audience had departed Still, all the other memories are exciting and colourful and entirely pleasurable.

Malcolm Wright

June 2010

Moments after I sent the copy for last month’s News, the situation changed, and three seats for the Stratford trip to see "Antony and Cleopatra" became available.  Two have been taken up by reserves, but we are still looking for one person to join us on Monday 21 June..  The cost of £37.50 includes transport.   I’ll let all participants know the time of departure – shall we take a picnic again? – later in the month.

We haven’t filled the minibus for "Hairspray" yet.  That’s at the New Theatre, Oxford on Tuesday 12 October and the all-in cost is £40.25.  I’m beginning to worry that we shouldn’t book for musicals – our last near-disaster was a Sonning musical show.

Another thought.  How many Uptonians would fancy a trip to the Blewbury open-air theatre in July?  This year’s show is Goldoni’s farce, " A Servant of Two Masters".  Geoff, of course, won’t be in it this year (nor am I) but I’m sure it will be very entertaining.

Malcolm Wright 850705

Our trip to Stratford in June is fully booked – has, indeed, 3 on the reserve list!

But next, encouraged by the Committee, I dared to purchase a minibusworth of tickets for the musical "Hairspray" at the New Theatre, Oxford, on Tuesday 12 October at 7.30 pm.

This is the actual West End production, as far as I can judge, so for £40.25 you get a circle seat, and transport, to see a show which could have cost £60 for the ticket alone, not to count the fare to London.

Those who have seen the show recommend it and it has had very encouraging reviews.   Do rush to get the remaining seats!

Malcolm Wright 850705

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, 7 February 2010

The circus. What does that conjure up in your mind? Animals doing tricks; clowns throwing buckets of water; jugglers; acrobats. The Moscow State Circus, a modern day circus, has no animals but the most versatile circus performers. For two hours we sat enthralled and amazed as we watched the incredible, innovative performers.

Wrapped around the stories and legends of Rasputin and his dreamworld Legenda, the acts pushed the boundaries of physical ingenuity to their limits. We saw gymnastics worthy of the Olympics; jugglers weaving patterns with 15 skittles in one go; acrobats who could balance on each other in a myriad of ways; trapeze artistes who wrapped silk ropes around their bodies plunging to the ground from great heights; an archer who shot arrows simultaneously to burst balloons and hit targets. Throughout, the clowns brought continuity and laughter as they displayed their skills of balance on a wire and a ladder.

The climax of the whole show was the illusionist who was brilliantly supported by his assistant who could change costume in the blink of an eye. The finale was amazing as she was levitated and then disappeared into thin air only to return from the back of the auditorium leaving us all gasping.

We would thoroughly recommend a visit to the Moscow State Circus. It is suitable for the whole family and is a sensational show that combines contemporary and classical circus at their very best.

Ann and Nick Parham

February 2010

THE THEATRE GROUP

The minibus for our trip to see the Moscow State Circus in Swindon will leave the Village Hall at 3.30 pm on Sunday 7 February.

The minibus for "Antony and Cleopatra" at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford in June is also fully booked.  I’m happy to add to a list of reserves if anybody is interested, and we’re still very open to suggestions for later in the year, about October time.

If you would like to be added to – or even removed from – our mailing list, please let me know.

Malcolm Wright (850705)

I’m very pleased to announce that all tickets are sold for the trip to the Moscow State Circus in Swindon on 7 February, and all places for the outing to Stratford in June to see "Antony and Cleopatra" have been provisionally booked.  Given that this is so far ahead, I’m happy to put anyone who is still interested on the reserve list.  And given that I have paid for the tickets, indeed they have already arrived, I would be grateful to have the money (£37.50 a head including the minibus) at least as soon as the January sales are over.

Any ideas for October?    Opera or musical?

Malcolm Wright (850705)

Our last trip was, as you may recollect from Austin’s amusing account, was very enjoyable, but it was our smallest group ever, and we did wonder whether the Group had outlived its usefulness.

We soldiered on optimistically, however, and it is good to announce that there has been considerable interest in our next two ventures. I’d like to have sold the last two tickets for

MOSCOW STATE CIRCUS

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon on Sunday 7 February 2010 at 5pm

before I have to pay for them on 6 December. Minibus transport is included for £24.20 a head. Please rush!

And don’t waste time – although it’s a long way ahead – to book for

ANTONY and CLEOPATRA

Courtyard Theatre, Stratford on Monday 21 June 2010 at 7.15 pm.

We are thinking of going early enough to have a picnic again, but this can be agreed later. Meanwhile I’m anxious to be reassured that I should buy the tickets. The minibus is also reserved, and the total cost is £37.50 per person.

Do get in touch if you are interested in either or both of the shows – you don’t have to be on the mailing list to come. If you would like advance information, though, please tell me.

Malcolm Wright (850705)